Fun slides for hard surfaces

ABSTRACT

A slide for use as a recreational entertainment device and for use on hard surfaces. The slide comprises a first member having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size, the first member has a first surface and a second surface. There is a second member having a first surface affixed to the second surface of the first member. The second member has a second surface for contacting such hard surface. There is at least one strap member engageable with the first member, the strap member having a first end and a second end. A first means is disposed along an upper surface of the first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member and a back portion of the first member for engaging a first end of the at least one strap member. A second means is disposed along the upper surface of the first member adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of the first member and the back portion of the first member for engaging a second end of the at least one strap like member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/653,420 filed Feb. 16, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a slide used for recreational purposes and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a fun slide for use with hard surfaces that can be used in combination with fun ramps to provide enhanced pleasure for the users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, there are various recreational devices available commercially which can enable a person to slide for recreational purposes. Skis are used to slide on snow and ice skates are used to move on ice. But, as it is also generally known in the art, these devices require either a hill to provide the impetus for moving rollers or wheels as are found on roller skates and skateboards, or at least a slippery surface such as snow or ice in order for to enable these prior art devices to work effectively. United States Publication Number 2004/00688232 discloses a slide which is designed specifically for use indoors on carpeted surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a slide for use as a recreational entertainment device and for use on hard surfaces. The slide comprises a first member having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size, the first member has a first surface and a second surface. There is a second member having a first surface affixed to the second surface of the first member. The second member has a second surface for contacting such hard surface. There is at least one strap member engageable with the first member, the strap member having a first end and a second end. A first means is disposed along an upper surface of the first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member and a back portion of the first member for engaging a first end of the at least one strap member. A second means is disposed along the upper surface of the first member adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of the first member and the back portion of the first member for engaging a second end of the at least one strap like member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a fun slide which will enable the user to slide on hard surfaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fun slide wherein the fun slide has a felt bottom surface.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fun slide that can be used in conjunction with fun ramps.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fun slide for use on hard surfaces that is inexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a fun slide for use on hard surfaces which will fit a variety of different size feet.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a carpet slide for recreational use for use indoors on hard surfaces.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the carpet slide shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the carpet slide taken across the lines of III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the fun slide shown in FIG. 1 showing in partial perspective a strap member used to secure the slide to a shoe or a foot according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the strap member being affixed to such slide shown in FIG. 4 taken across the line V-V.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the fun slide shown in FIG. 1 showing in partial perspective a strap member used to secure the slide to a foot according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that identical components having identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings for the sake of clarity. Now reference is made, more particularly, to the drawing Figures. The present invention, shown in FIGS. 1-3, provides a slide, generally designated 10, for use as a recreational entertainment device and for use on hard surfaces. The slide 10 comprises a first member 2 having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size, the first member 2 has a first surface 4 and a second surface 6. There is a second member 12 having a first surface 14 affixed to the second surface 6 of the first member 2. The second member 12 has a second surface 16 for contacting such hard surface. It is preferred that such first predetermined shape of such first member 2 includes arcuate edges on all of the edges of the first member 2.

It is presently preferred that such second surface 16 of such second member 12 be made of felt. It is also presently preferred that such felt be affixed to such second member 12 by means of an adhesive.

Such slide 10 has at least one strap member 22 engageable with the first member 2, the strap member 22 has a first end and a second end. There is a first means, generally designated 20, disposed along an upper surface of the first member 2 adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member 2 and a back portion of the first member 2 for engaging a first end of the at least one strap member 22. Such first means 20 includes a first aperture 32 formed therethrough for receiving a first end of the at least one strap member 22.

A second means, generally designated 30, is disposed along the upper surface of the first member 2 adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of the first member 2 and the back portion of the first member 2 for engaging a second end of the at least one strap like member 22. The second means 30 includes a second aperture 34 formed therethrough for receiving one of such second end of the at least one strap member 22 and a first end of a second strap member 22.

It is also presently preferred that such at least one strap member 22 is two. Such pair of strap members 22 have a first end of a first one secured to such slide 10 through such first aperture 32 and a first end of such second one of such pair of strap members 22 is secured to the slide through such second aperture 34.

Such second end of such strap members 22 are used to secure the slide 10 to a foot member of the user. The second ends of such pair of strap members 22 are secured to each other by means of one of Velcro (hook and loop) 36 and by a buckle 38. In the case of Velcro one of a hook and loop member is disposed adjacent the second end of the first strap member 22 and an opposite one of the hook and loop member is disposed adjacent the second end of the second strap member 22. Similarly such buckle is disposed on the second end of the second strap member 22 and the portion with the holes is disposed on the second end of the first strap member 22. In either case whether the securing means is Velcro or buckle the securing means is adjustable. It is presently preferred that such Velcro be used as the securing means.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention such slide 10 further includes a third strap member 42 having a first end secured to a first one of the pair of strap members 22 and a second end of third strap member 42 secured to the second one of the pair of strap members 22, the third strap member 42 is used to engage the heel of such user and, thus, more firmly secure the slide 10 to the foot of the user. It is preferred that such third strap member 42 be adjustable and that it be adjustable by means of the third strap member being elastic.

Such slide 10 also includes a cushion 44 disposed on the first or upper surface 4 of the first member 2. The cushion 44 is made of an elastomeric material. It is presently preferred that such elastomeric material is foam rubber. The foam cushion 44 provides comfort for the user as well as more firmly securing such foot to the slide 10 so that the foot remains secure and doesn't slip or slide on the surface of slide 10.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, said slide comprising: (a) a first member having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size, said first member having an first surface and a second surface; (b) a second member having a first surface affixed to said second surface of said first member, said second member having a second surface for contacting such hard surface; (c) at least one strap member engageable with said first member, said strap member having a first end and a second end; (d) a first means disposed along an upper surface of said first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of said first member and a back portion of said first member for engaging a first end of said at least one strap member; and (e) a second means disposed along said upper surface of said first member adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between said front portion of said first member and said back portion of said first member for engaging one of a second end of said at least one strap like member and a first end of a second strap like member.
 2. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 1, wherein said second surface of said second member is felt.
 3. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 2, wherein said felt is affixed to said second member by means of an adhesive.
 4. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 1, wherein said first means includes a first aperture formed therethrough for receiving said first end of said at least one strap member through said first aperture.
 5. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 1, wherein said second means includes a second aperture formed therethrough for receiving said one of said second end of said at least one strap like member and a second end of said second strap like member through said second aperture.
 6. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one strap member serves as at least a portion of a securing means for securing said slide to a user's foot.
 7. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one strap member is a pair of strap members, a first end of a first one of said pair of strap members secured to said slide through said first aperture and a first end of a second one of said pair of strap members secured to said slide through said second aperture.
 8. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 7, wherein said second end of each of said pair of strap members includes a respective portion of a securing means for securing said first one of said pair of strap members to said second one of said pair of strap members for securing said slide to a user's foot.
 9. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 8, wherein said slide further includes a third strap member having a first end secured to one of said at least one strap member and said first one of said pair of strap members and a second end of third strap secured to said one of said at least one strap member and said second one of said pair of strap members, said third strap member for engaging a heel of such user.
 10. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 9, wherein said third strap member is adjustable.
 11. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 10, wherein said third strap member is elastic.
 12. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 8, wherein said securing means for securing said first one of said pair of strap members to said second one of said pair of strap members for securing said slide to a user's foot is one of a hook and loop type fastener and a buckle.
 13. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 12, wherein said securing means is a hook and loop wherein said one of a hook and loop member is disposed adjacent said second end of said first strap member and an opposite one of said hook and loop member is disposed adjacent said second end of said second strap member.
 14. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 12, wherein said securing means is adjustable.
 15. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 12, wherein said securing means is a buckle.
 16. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 1, wherein said slide further includes a third member engageable with said first surface of said first member.
 17. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 16, wherein said third member is made of an elastomeric material.
 18. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 17, wherein said elastomeric material is foam rubber.
 19. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 16, wherein said third member is secured to said first surface of said first member by means of an adhesive.
 20. The slide for use on hard surfaces as a recreational entertainment device, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape includes having arcuate edges. 